Ingredients of cinnamon identified March 14, 2006

A study has identified the ingredients in cinnamon, the yummy spice found in everything from muffins to air fresheners, that appear to benefit diabetics. It was already known that cinnamon seems to help diabetics by reducing inflammation and by helping control blood sugar levels. Until now, however, it was not know why this might be the case, hence the purpose of a recent Maryland study, in which the fragrant spice was examined for the active ingredient responsible for these beneficial effects. The researchers concluded that, in the case of reducing inflammation, it all comes down to antioxidants called polyphenols found in cinnamon, which boost levels of three beneficial proteins. As for controlling blood sugar, it appears cinnamon contains a natural compound that has insulin-like properties. The study was carried out at the Department of Agriculture’s Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center in Maryland. Results were presented at the Experimental Biology conference held in San Francisco, April 1-5 of this year.